Palestinian human rights groups urge UN to take action, call on IOF to refrain from using force against protesters

Ahead of 70th commemoration of the Nakba and US embassy move, Al-Haq, Adalah, and Al Mezan submit open letter to the UN

Palestinian human rights organizations Al-Haq, Adalah, and Al Mezan submitted today, 10 May 2018, an open letter to the United Nations (UN) Secretary-General, Antonio Guterres and to the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, Zeid Ra’ad Al Hussein, calling upon the UN to take action to ensure Israel complies with international law ahead of large-scale protests expected in Palestine in commemoration of the Nakba and against the opening of the US embassy in Jerusalem. The Palestinian organizations warned against potential excessive use of force, including lethal force, by the Israeli Occupying Forces in suppression of the right to peaceful assembly.

In the open letter, the three organizations highlighted that “the relocation of the US embassy ahead of the landmark commemoration of the Nakba only entrenches Israel’s longstanding impunity for its widespread and systematic violations against Palestinians”, insisting that “third States are further under an obligation not to engage or cooperate with US embassy officials in Jerusalem upon embassy’s opening”.